Music festivals around Newcastle and the North East throughout 2025

Anyone suffering the January blues and fed up with the gloomy weather will no doubt welcome a lookahead to good-weather days and plenty fun to come.

Summer means festivals and while that can also mean a fair bit of muddy mayhem, it mainly means magnificent music – and lots of it. Our new updated 2025 guide to upcoming music events around Newcastle and the wider North East sets the tone for a whole music-packed year.

Already, some of our largest festivals have their tickets on sale while many smaller-scale intimate affairs have been confirmed too. It goes to prove it’s certainly not all about Glastonbury or other biggies such as Reading or Leeds festivals and there is no need to spend hundreds of pounds on a ticket not to mention travelling costs, when there will be live music events galore on our doorstep once the festival season gets into full swing.

And this year the region welcomes a biggie of its own with the huge new Come Together Festival – headlined by Robbie Williams – set to make its debut on the Town Moor in Newcastle in June. But there will be opportunities to enjoy live music across the region from Northumberland to County Durham throughout 2025 and below is a round-up of what to expect.

Some events have yet to confirm dates or line-ups – we will be adding them to our guide when further announcements are made so watch this space – while others already have tickets on sale and their ticket links are included here so that those who want to get cracking on making a booking can do so, as it’s always nice to have something to look forward to.

Here’s hoping we’ll be in for a prolonged spell of summer sunshine to add to the upcoming fun – and keep at bay that dreaded mud. So, dig out those new diaries and make your own plans to get out there in the fresh air – even if it turns out a bit too fresh – and soak up enough festival experience to generate musical memories for a long time to come.

Into The Fields – May 23-25

Thanks to the success of a crowdfunding campaign to finance it, this popular festival will be back to its site at Meggies Burn in Blyth, Northumberland. for a seventh year and another three music-stuffed days over the late May Bank Holiday weekend. And those who helped raise almost £24,000 of funding have at the same time bagged tickets to another cracking line-up of tribute acts.

Among those already confirmed are tributes to the likes of Oasis, Kings Of Leon, Taylor Swift, Abba, AC/DC, Foo Fighters, Queen, The Cure, Paul Weller, The Rolling Stones, Elton John, Bee Gees, Gerry Cinnamon, Green Day, Arctic Monkeys, The Beatles, Stone Roses, Lady Gaga, Ed Sheeran to name a few. And cover bands on the bill include Hip Hop Hooray, Sleaze Sisters, Breakfast Club, C Collective and Punk Pop Disaster. There also will be a Tribal Tides Tent tent with a silent ’80s v 90s’ disco each day plus top local DJs: read more here.

Come Together Festival – between June 4 and 8

What promises to be Newcastle’s largest ever festival – initially announced for five days – will be making quite a debut, with Robbie Williams as its opening act and it will mark the star’s first performance in the city for more than 10 year. Kaiser Chiefs; Little Mix’s Perrie Edwards and Newcastle’s Andrew Cushin also will be taking to the Town Moor stage on June 4.

Rock legends Kings of Leon are to close the festival, with the June 8 also including The Courteeners and there are set to be more announcements about what will be happening in between. Regardless, it’s already named among Time Out’s guide to the 25 best new things to do in the UK for 2025. For ticket details see cometogetherfestival.co.uk.

Coast Fest – June 27-29

The line-up is set to be announced soon says this festival which will be back at Percy Park Rugby Club in North Shields for another good old summer knees-up involving emerging artists and established acts. And organisers are as excited as anyone.

They say they “can’t believe we are lucky enough to do this again”. And this time they are currently considering the possibility of adding a ‘quiet camping’ option if there’s enough interest: see its Facebook page here.

Mouth of the Tyne – July 10-13

It’s building up to be another impressive stage line-up at Tynemouth Priory as the annual coastal festival – which attracts around 100,000 visitors and has been running now for more than 18 years – has snaffled UB40 for its first day headliner; Ministry of Sound Classical – with special guest Karen Harding and K-Klass – for the second then Elbow, with Hector Gannet as guest, for the third – and this latter show is already sold out.

For other tickets and more news to come, including the reveal of UB40’s special guests, keep an eye out here. Besides outdoor concerts at the Priory, festival venues have previously also included The Playhouse Whitley Bay and the Surf Café in Tynemouth so watch this space.

Kubix Festival – July 12

Tickets are now on sale for this popular festival which made its debut in Sunderland – recently officially recognised as a Music City – back in summer 2018 and has previously upped the ante to offer two main events starting with a pop and dance day followed by a rocky alternative leg (find details of that Monument Festival below). Its plans for this day-long event at its site at Herrington County Park will feature live music across three stages – a main outdoor one; a Big Top dance arena and Klub Kube – plus plenty bars and food stalls.

Headlining will be Shaggy and on the bill will be Blue, Gareth Gates, Basshunter, Liberty X, Blazin’ Squad, N-Trance, Another Level, Lasgo and Darren Styles – with more news to follow. For tickets – including some early bird options which are currently still available – see its website here.

In The Park: Lost Minds Festival – July 12

As previously reported, the popular dance festival will be back for a fourth city party – this time with a new home and a new date. It has a later than usual summer date and will be switching location from Newcastle’s Leazes Park to Exhibition Park where it will be making up a music weekend, under the In The Park Festival banner, with Fontaines D.C who will be playing there the next day.

Billed as the ‘ultimate electronic music festival’, it has yet to announce its line-up but says this instalment will be the ‘biggest yet’, with headliners set to play across four stages in the park where there also will be a Festival Village, extreme rides, a ‘zen tent’, art installations and VIP areas. Those keen to join the party are invited to sign up on the Lost Minds website for a chance to access early bird tickets.

In The Park: Fontaines D.C – July 13

The Irish rock favourites will be upping the ante and adding to Newcastle’s summer of music with an outdoor date in Exhibition Park. Tickets are now on sale and showing low availability: see here.

Read more here about their upcoming show, which has been generating huge excitement.

Monument Festival – July 19

What was previously called Kubix Alternative & Rock Festival will be back for a sixth year at Herrington Park – the second under its new name – with another line-up of rock, indie, punk, mod and alternative tunes for an outdoor stage and big top stage.

It says the line-up will be announced soon. Early bird discount tickets are due to go on sale in a week: see here.

South Tyneside Festival – July to August

The annual festival has yet to announce news of its three-month programme, other than to confirm it will be happening in 2025. Regulars know to expect the likes of a Summer Parade to kick off the whole party schedule and plenty live music and Proms in the Park concerts in Bents Park to follow. Keep an eye out for the festival’s lengthy programme on its website here.

Durham Brass Festival – July, dates tbc

The brass extravaganza will be back this summerwith an array of live music, indoors and out, at venues in Durham and across the county. As previously reported, it will include a Brassed On programme pairing North East artists with brass ensembles to create new music and up until this week it was seeking local performers to apply.

The wider festival’s return dates are yet to be confirmed, along with full details of its programme, but the Durham County Council-run event always brings the city streets alive with music – and that means the sound of brass, in all its forms. Turning up the summer heat will be a programme sweeping from brass beats to salsa, swing, big band, choral performances and even rock ‘n’ roll.

Host venues will no doubt again include Gala Theatre and possibly Durham Cathedral as traditional and contemporary styles make their presence felt. The region’s proud brass band heritage always gets a good look-in of course.

Little Lindi Festival – July 25-27

The family camping festival, a County Durham spin-off from Lindisfarne Festival by its organisers, was made a debut in 2022 on the Lambton Castle Estate with not just music but an eclectic programme including dance and wellbeing workshops; arts, food and drink, bush crafts – such as den-making and wood-carving – orienteering, singing, meditation yoga, dance and drumming too.

But it was forced to cancel last year, when bad weather waterlogged the ground. At the same time, it confirmed plans for this July so look out for more upcoming news about this on its website.

Scoop Music Festival – July 25-27

Celebrating its fifth year, this family-friendly festival o. f local rock, pop and tribute bands is out to make this summer’s event “the best one yet”. In the grounds of Burnhopeside Hall – former home of Puffing Billy engineer William Hedley – near Lanchester, County Durham, it also will have a ‘soft opener’ on July 24, with two guest bands, food and drink before its launch day which will feature tributes Guns Mac Roses; Red Hot Chillipinos and rock band Burnt Out Wreck.

Among the next day’s acts will be The National Anthems and Rag n Bone Man Tribute plus DJ headliner Jon Pleased Wimmin then the last day will include the likes of Radgie Gadgie. For more about the programme see here. Thanks to ample grounds, the festival offers camping options alongside family entertainment, street food and bar facilities. For tickets see here.

Northern Kin – August 1-3

Midge Ure will help the County Durham festival mark year seven this summer as it builds upon its track-record for delivering around 60 hours of live blues, folk and rock from more than 40 bands and artists playing over three stages, with camping, a food village, licensed bars and stalls adding to the mix.

It’s overcome weather challenges to come bouncing back and year has plenty more treats up its sleeve. Besides the mighty Ure, its first day’s bill will include Ferocious Dog, Bar Stool Preachers and Connor Selby while the second will range from Michael Schenker to the Lancashire Hot Pots and then the last will see the likes of The Undertones, Lindisfarne and For The Love of Shane MacGowan take to the stage.

And there a whole load more – more than 40 in fact. Check the programme out – and find early bird discount tickets – here. For more about the festival, which is aimed at all ages, follow it on Facebook here.

Hardwick Festival – August 15-17

Often billed as the biggest music festival in the North East, the County Durham music showcase aims to pull it out the bag again this year and fans can keep an eye out for its programme which is due to announced in February. It’s always attracted big names and must be confident of the same this August as tickets are already on sale, with some options to pay in three instalments.

Its site at Hardwick Hall, Sedgefield, County Durham, includes lots of space for tents, campervans and glamping within a short distance of the Festival Field – and luckily that also means plenty room for dancing. Expect some big DJ names too plus bars, a food village and fairground rides. For tickets and camping and glamping pass options see here.

Party in the Park – August 22-24

The team behind Party at The Bay in Whitley Bay and Blyth’s Into the Fields festivals are to deliver this event in Morpeth over the August Bank Holiday weekend and the array of acts of the line-up will include tributes to just about everybody: think Elvis, Abba, Dolly Parton, Robbie Williams, The Smyths, Queen, The Eagles; Gerry Cinnamon and AC/DC for starters.

There will be the real deal too including The Longsands and K-Klass. For more details and tickets see here.

Noughty 90s Festival – August 23

Bring the party on. As its name suggests, this glut of music celebrates the sounds of the 1990s and noughties and seems set to be tearing up Leazes Park in Newcastle this summer, in the best possible way, as it already has tickets on sale without there being any more details.

The noon to 10pm throwback party usually offers tickets with priority access options that include the likes of a Gin Garden, private bar, ‘posh loos’ and a viewing platform from the side of the main stage.

Lindisfarne Festival – August 28-30

It’s to be a happy 10th birthday for the festival described as the ‘ultimate end-of-summer party’ and its location on the Northumberland coast has Holy Island as its impressive backdrop, which can only add to the celebratory experience. An independent festival of music and creative arts, it features around 200 acts over eight stages and so far it is boasting the likes of The Waterboys and Scouting for Girls and more.

The Lancashire Hotpots and Ferocious Dog – having had other North East summer festival dates – will be back for more northern fun too and comedy will be adding to the mix from local favourites Felt Nowt. Founded by Conleth Maenpaa and born of a desire to create something special for the North East, the now decade-old festival no doubt will be marking its milestone with the usual extra treats on its Beal Farm site such as walkabout entertainers, poetry, yoga and meditation as well as holisitic therapies. See here for information and for tickets see here – early bird ones are already sold out.

Druridge Bay Campout – September 4-7

In in its picturesque Northumberland setting, the small family-friendly festival will be serving up another chance to mix live local music with camping options in the Druridge Bay Country Park, near Morpeth. Camping and a bar will open on the first day, with entertainment from Colonel Kilgore’s Soul Team, while the last day is more chill-out time.

Announcements have yet to be made about the main two-day music event in between, although there are details here of its added extras such as yoga, circus acts and bingo. And the third day will include its traditional beach clean which is always entirely optional say organisers but it no doubt will make for a great hangover cure. Find more details here and book tickets, which include a payment plan option, here.

View news Source: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/festivals-newcastle-north-east-2021-9005164